A garage door is as essential as any other aspect of your home. It not only improves the aesthetics but also affects the value of your property. The market offers buyers a plethora of different styles and materials to sift through,making the process more challenging. Two of the most popular garage door options are insulated and non-insulated garage doors.
Homeowners may not be able to tell whether garage doors are insulated or not by merely looking at it. However, the qualities of both garage doors differ significantly. Here we discuss in-depth the pros versus cons of each garage door to help you make the right choice:
An Overview of Insulated Garage Doors
These doors have two to three layers of steel with insulation. The insulation of your property’s garage door may be either of the following:
Polyurethane- comparatively more expensive, polyurethane offers excellent thermal resistance per inch of thickness and is a better insulator than polystyrene. Moreover, polyurethane is both robust and sustainable. Its incredible durability makes it more resistant to vibrations and noise.
Polystyrene- cheaper than polyurethane, polystyrene is a good option for homeowners seeking essential insulation and durability.
Why Choose Insulated Garage Doors?
Such doors are energy-efficient, keeping your garage from getting too cold or hot. The combination of polystyrene or polyurethane with steel frames offers homeowners a formidable barrier against the cold air during winter. The feature is perfect for people who frequently use their garage.
Apart from this, the sturdy garage door’s double or triple layers protect your home from cold air, especially if your house boasts an attached garage. It may result in your home becoming increasingly colder, which, in turn, requires better HVAC systems.
Moreover, purchasing an insulated door with multiple layers of cushioning adds an extra amount of nonconductors. It means getting a thick, sustainable, and robust door for your garage. The increase in protection safeguards your garage from dents and damages and, ultimately, saves you from spending money on repairs. Not just that, but insulated garage doors also offer top-notch security. Its resilient and sustainable construction ensures your door remains in its position and resist withering.
The additional layer of insulated garage doors acts as a noise barrier to ensure you can enjoy spending time in your garage without any disruptions.
Last but not least, insulated garage doors offer your property a luxurious and elegant look. The combination of incredible look, durable exterior, and additional features makes it an overall cost-effective option.
Pros
- Expedites your home’s value
- Savings on energy bills
- Quieter operation
- Sturdy and aesthetic look
- Durable and robust
- Regulates temperature in your garage throughout the year
- Protects your valuable items
They’re Best for
- Those who live in particularly warmer or colder areas
- Commercial buildings
Reasons to Avoid Them
While insulated variants help you save money in the long-run, these garage initial cost is comparatively higher. Moreover, the price may vary depending on the materials, style, and design you choose.
Cons of Insulated Garage Doors
- Comparatively expensive
- Ineffective, if your garage door is frequently used
Not a Good Option for:
- Those on a shoe-string budget.
An Overview of Non-Insulated Garage Doors
These doors boast a single steel layer and are somewhat flimsy. However, if you install these on a door less than 8 to 9 feet, the door will be comparatively sturdy and durable. Plus, these garage doors require low maintenance.
Why Choose Non-Insulated Garage Doors?
On the flip side, non-insulated doors utilize one layer of steel and are ideal for areas boasting a mild climate. One other incredible benefit is that they come at an affordable, cheap initial price.
Thus, people residing in such geographic locations can enjoy installing these doors while saving a fair amount of money.
Pros
- Cheaper and affordable
- Useful and practical in areas with mild climates
- Good for detached garages
It’s Best for:
- Those looking for a budget-friendly garage door
Reasons to Avoid Them
While it’s true that non-insulated garage doors come at a low price, you may end up wasting a substantial amount in the long run. It is because non-insulated ones don’t offer as much energy efficiency, which means they perform poorly in hotter and colder areas.
Moreover, their low insulation value can render your garage space useless. It may disappoint people who often use the garage. Plus, these are comparatively noisier since the extra layers in insulated garage doors filter the noise.
Finally, these offer low aesthetic appeal as a result of being thinner and less sustainable. Ultimately, it reduces curb appeal and negatively impacts your property’s appearance.
Cons of Non-Insulated Garage Doors
- Lack of energy-efficiency
- Reduces the usability of your garage space
- Noisy operation
- Flimsy and unattractive look
- Less durable
Not a Good Option for:
- Those who frequently use their garages
- Those who live in extremely cold or hot regions
The Final Words
Insulated garage doors regulate internal temperature,making them a fantastic option in areas with extreme weather conditions. However, these cost comparatively higher than conventional, non-insulated counterparts.
On the flip side, non-insulated garage doors boast one layer of steel, suitable for temperate areas. Moreover, users can also benefit from its low costs. Unfortunately, the lack of appropriate insulation may result in expensive costs in the long run, as well as noisy operation.
